by Diana Rattray
Satisfy that pizza craving with this loaded pizza casserole recipe! Pasta is combined with pizza sauce and all the toppings to make a casserole you will want to make again and again.
How To Make a Pizza Casserole
The casserole is a simple combination of ingredients that are briefly cooked then baked. Here’s a rundown of the steps:
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, cook the ground beef or sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a Dutch oven or sauté pan.
- Add the seasonings, sauce, tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni, and bring to a simmer. Add the hot drained pasta and half of the cheese.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake. That’s all there is to it!
What To Serve With a Pizza Casserole
This pizza casserole is a full and satisfying meal with meat, vegetables, and pasta, but feel free to add a side dish or two to round it out. Here are a few ideas:
- Tossed salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Focaccia, bread sticks, or garlic bread.
- Coleslaw.
- Crunchy broccoli salad.
- Pickled vegetables, such as pepperoncini or giardiniera.
How To Store and Reheat Pizza Casserole
Cover and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, and eat within 4 days. If the ambient temperature is 90 F or higher, get it in the fridge within 1 hour. These are USDA guidelines for storing leftovers.
To reheat in the microwave, put it in a microwave safe container and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring after about 90 seconds to ensure even heating. According to the USDA, the minimum safe temperature for heated leftovers is 165 F.
Reheat leftovers in a skillet with a splash of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until evenly heated.
To reheat in the oven, put the leftover casserole in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of water. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated 350 F oven for about 15 minutes, or until hot.
Recipe Variations
Pasta – Use macaroni, penne, or another short pasta shape.
Meat – Replace the ground beef or sausage with ground chicken or turkey.
Vegetables РAdd jalapeno peppers for a spicier pizza casserole, or add different vegetables, such as sliced artichokes, saut̩ed mushrooms, spinach, green onions, and sliced grape tomatoes.
Cheese – Use a pizza combination of mozzarella and cheddar or replace the mozzarella with fontina cheese.
Pizza Casserole
This hearty pizza casserole is a one-pot meal that will satisfy everyone’s pizza craving! Make it with your favorite toppings.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 48 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini or fusilli
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
- 1 jar (about 14 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced black olives, drained
- 6 ounces sliced pepperoni
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9- x 13-inch baking dish and heat the oven to 350 F.
- Bring a pot with 3 to 4 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook following the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and onion and cook while breaking up and stirring until the onion is translucent. This will take about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off and discard excess grease.
- Add the bell pepper and garlic and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, until the meat is no longer pink.
- Add the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, pizza sauce, tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni to the ground meat. Heat until the sauce begins to simmer. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed.
- Combine the meat and sauce mixture with the drained pasta. Toss to blend thoroughly.
- Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Spoon the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese layer and finish with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is thoroughly melted.
